Assessment of Writing… Grab a copy of the paragraph examples from the front table. These are paragraph written about the story “The Cask of Amontillado” written by 9 th graders. The story is about a murder which is accomplished by burying a man alive in a brick wall. The assignment was to identify the moment at which Fortunato (the victim in the story) knew what was happening. Read the examples and decide which is the strongest/best persuasive paragraph of the 4. Tell why it is in the margins of it. Click for examples Click for examples

Meet the Paragraph “No matter how long an essay is, it really consists of a series of short compositions. Each of these helps to develop the essay, and, at the same time, develops its own topic. These small compositions are paragraphs.” -Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition

Pieces and Parts “Make the paragraph the unit of composition.” -Elements of Style Expository/Persuasive paragraphs have three main part, each has a job to do. 1. The Topic Sentence 2. The Evidence 3. The Interpretation Topic Sentence Evidence Interpretation

Topic Sentence—a promise The title to your paragraph. This tells the reader what the paragraph will show by the end. Formula: a specific topic +a particular thought, observation, theory =an effective topic sentence Write a Topic Sentence about the picture shown above. “The Mentor of ‘On the Rainy River,’ Elroy” The Narrator, Montresor Poe’s narrator exhibits signs of insanity. Elroy fulfils the classic role of the true mentor of Tim’s quest. Answers the Question: What do I know or think and about a given topic?

Evidence—what The “subject” of your paragraph. This portion of your paragraph puts the item you are examining out where everyone can see it. 1. Set the evidence in a context. 2. Provide the evidence to be examined. (This means provide a quotation.) Answers the Question: What makes me think this, or what Illustrates what I know best?

Interpretation—why Leads the reader through your thinking. Leads the reader through your thinking. Don’t assume that the reader will inevitably reach the same conclusions you do; explain it to them. Don’t assume that the reader will inevitably reach the same conclusions you do; explain it to them. However, once they have read your interpretation they should find it difficult to disagree with your findings. However, once they have read your interpretation they should find it difficult to disagree with your findings. Think of this as a two sentence exercise. Explains how the evidence demonstrates the claims of the topic sentence. (Focus on a single word or phrase in the evidence.) Explains how the entire paragraph fits into the larger structure of the essay. Answers the Question: Why does the evidence mean what I say it means?

Different Ways to Interpret Evidence Pick a specific word or phrase. Explain why using this word or phrase is significant. Pick a specific word or phrase. Explain why using this word or phrase is significant. Make a connection. Show how this is similar to another well known example. Make a connection. Show how this is similar to another well known example. Use “Text to Text” or “Text to World” connection. Use “Text to Text” or “Text to World” connection. Focus on the context: details that come before and after, and how this affects the meaning. Focus on the context: details that come before and after, and how this affects the meaning.

Time to double check… Go back to the warm-up from today. Do you still agree with your selection of the best paragraph. Why or why not? Go back to the warm-up from today. Do you still agree with your selection of the best paragraph. Why or why not?

Paragraph Blueprint